Shurugwi’s Nichrut Lodge announces expansion plans
THE 24-room Nichrut Lodge in Shurugwi has announced plans to expand and increase its capacity to 50 rooms over the next year and also increase staffing from the present 20 to 30.
The lodge is owned by local miner and businessman, Nicholas Gara and his wife Ruth. Nichrut Lodge officially opened its doors in December 2012.
Gara revealed that he planned to expand operations from the present 24 rooms to 50 in a gradual exercise that will take a year to complete. He said the lodge had attracted a fair amount of business since its opening which has led him and his management team to decide on expanding its capacity.
“We began operating in 2012 and since then, business has generally been good for us. We have had more than decent occupancy and that is why we have decided to expand our capacity from 24 rooms to 50,” Gara said.
“We plan to expand our lodge gradually over a period of one year,” he added.
The lodge currently offers full DStv and Wi-Fi in all its 24 rooms as well as a conference room with the capacity to carry 100 people. The lodge has 18 standard rooms and six executive rooms with all rooms equipped with a jacuzzi and shower stall.
Gara also revealed plans to establish an animal theme park at his lodge. He said he has already acquired lions, zebras and warthogs for the theme park. The park will be built on land behind the lodge and is aimed at creating tourism opportunities for Shurugwi.
“We want to enhance our guests’ experience when they stay with us. And to achieve this goal, we are going to establish an animal theme park behind the lodge. We have already bought two lions, two zebras and a few warthogs for the theme park,” Gara said.
He said the animals would be moved to the theme park as soon as construction of the theme park is complete. Gara also revealed plans to encourage football clubs and other sports teams to use the lodge when travelling for matches or pre-season training camps. He said the lodge was prepared to create a conducive atmosphere for such teams to stay at the lodge.
“We want to promote sports tourism in Shurugwi by aggressively engaging football clubs and sports associations to stay with us.”